Dr. Jacquelyn Madry-Taylor Joins BSC Administration as Interim Dean, School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science

Dr. Jacquelyn Madry-Taylor Joins BSC Administration as Interim Dean, School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science

Her twin passions for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and for the students and regions they serve led Dr. Jacquelyn Madry-Taylor to accept the opportunity to become Bluefield State College’s interim Dean/School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science.

Before arriving at BSC, Dr. Madry-Taylor served in several higher education leadership positions including a nine months Registry appointment as the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at Wheeling University.  In fact, she learned of the academic administrative opportunity at Bluefield State College through The Registry, which is an organization that specializes in matching higher education professionals with administrative opportunities (on an interim basis) at colleges and universities.

Dr. Madry-Taylor also has worked as the Chief Research Officer and Senior Advisor for Research and Program Development at the United Negro College Fund’s Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP). She was also Project Administrator for NASA’s multimillion dollar University Research Center Initiative, which provided opportunities for faculty at selected universities to engage in STEM research of special interest to NASA.  “Those responsibilities strengthened my understanding of how to identify research funding opportunities in the technologies,” she added.  “At Bluefield State, my goal is to facilitate a stronger connection between our engineering technology faculty and grants that fund research in their areas of expertise.”

“I’m in the process of talking to our faculty,” she noted.  “They are a talented group, sincere and dedicated.  We want to ensure that our course content remain contemporary, equipping our students to be innovative and competitive.  Other priorities include evaluating internship opportunities available through the School to ensure that they complement what is being taught in the classroom.  On a broader level, the School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science needs to continue and expand its involvement in economic development efforts throughout the region.”

According to Dr. Madry-Taylor, other initiatives she hopes to accomplish over the next few months include exploring the potential for reaching current and potential students through creative course scheduling—minicourses offered between the fall and spring semesters and expanding online offerings. 

“My goal is to enhance what BSC does and help our faculty find additional resources to support their work,” she summarized.  She states that she is delighted to spend this time with the faculty, administration, staff and students as the institution implements these initiatives.